DiBcom teams up with LG to offer a 3G+ touchscreen phone with integrated Mobile TV

The LG KB770 phone uses DiBcom’s DVB-T receiver for free-to-air digital TV

PARIS — DiBcom, the leading provider of Mobile TV solutions, is pleased to announce that its latest
generation Mobile TV receiver enables free-to-air digital TV broadcasts on LG Electronics’ (Seoul:066570) extremely sophisticated, new multimedia handset – the LG KB770. In this respect, the KB770 is very much like its predecessor the HB620T which also uses DiBcom’s state-of-the-art components. However, its new PDA-style format and large 3″ 400×240 pixel touchscreen display are undoubtedly even better suited to television and broadcast content and serve to provide an exceptional viewing experience.

By featuring DiBcom’s DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial) receiver, the LG KB770 is equipped to reliably receive the standard free-to-air terrestrial digital TV signal that covers most European countries. With support for WCDMA 2100 and for GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and HSPDA data – this 3G/3G+ multi-band device is likely to become very popular on the European market where it will be launched in November.

“Mobile phones are becoming increasingly sophisticated and multifunctional and consumers expect better image quality from these entertainment devices. We are very happy to see that LG continues to put its faith in DiBcom’s technology to best serve their clients’ needs and enable them to exploit Mobile TV’s full potential,” enthused Yannick Levy, CEO of DiBcom.

With the popularity of DVB-T handsets in Germany, 1SEG handsets in Japan, and T-DMB in Korea, it is clear that free-to-air TV is an excellent way to generate widespread interest in Mobile TV, and attract growing numbers of users. However, it has also been proven that free services are not sustainable, and a revenue stream is necessary for successful long term deployment. “We encourage the industry to consider a mixed business model involving a combination of free content, with an optional Pay-TV subscription system for premium channels and services. This model can be applied to
countries with one single TV standard or those where complimentary standards such as DVB-T and DVB-H co-exist,” added Levy.

The LG KB770 will be available in Germany from November onwards.